Voters in four Assembly constituencies voted on 20 Nov (SDW Vol 2, Issue 43, Story 8). In the build up to the By-Polls, on 9 Nov, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called for a probe into the land and properties owned by farmer leaders in Panjab, alleging that many of them are either arhtiyas (commission agents) or rice mill owners. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher challenged Bittu to investigate the properties, stating they are not afraid of his statements and highlighting issues like the unavailability of DAP (DiAmmonium Phosphate) fertilizer. AAP spokesperson Neel Garg condemned Bittu’s remarks, suggesting the BJP is seeking revenge for the farmers’ protests against the now-repealed farm laws. The BJP is attempting to consolidate non-Jat (farmers) and urban voters by consolidating Hindu and Dalit (marginalized-caste) votes. Meanwhile, INC leader Charanjit Singh Channi found himself embroiled in a controversy upon making derogatory comments about women and other castes. On 18 Nov, the Punjab State Commission for Women issued Channi a show-cause notice. At the same time, the Supreme Court directed the Panjab govt. and the state Election Commission to notify municipal elections within two weeks and complete the entire process within eight weeks. The directions came while hearing the Panjab govt.’s petition challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court order that required the state to declare the poll schedule for five municipal corporations and 42 municipal councils/nagar panchayats (locality councils) within 15 days without waiting for the completion of a fresh delimitation exercise.
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